Before you recycle those old magazines, turn some of their pages into pretty coiled pendants. You can make a collection of them in no time.

What you'll need:

Magazine pages

Scissors

Bone folder

Thin wooden skewer

Low-temp glue gun

White craft glue

Eye pin

Blank cardstock

Clear acrylic sealer

Jump ring

A note on glue: After much testing, I've found that my low-temperature glue gun works well for this project. Since this kind of glue hardens quickly, I can build my coils in a snap. Keep in mind, though, that you can accidentally come into contact with the hot glue, and if your fingers are sensitive, they could burn. (I've developed Teflon fingers over the years, so this doesn't bother me.)

As an alternative, you can glue your coils with white craft glue, but you'll have to hold the work in place for a few minutes to let the glue set.

Gather some magazine pages and heat up your glue gun.

First, you'll need several magazine pages. Tear them out or cut them-just make sure you get as much of the page as possible. If you're using a glue gun, start letting it heat up.

The best coils come from bold, brightly colored pages.

I'm going to jump ahead for a moment to show you something important. Note in the photo on the left that the magazine page makes a somewhat muddy-looking coil. So seek out bolder, brighter pages, like what you see in the photo on the right. They'll create prettier, more graphical coils. (Often, I get the best coils from ad pages.)

Fold the page in half. A torn edge is fine.

To make a coil, begin by folding a magazine page lengthwise down the center, as shown. If one edge of the page is torn, just line up the most intact corner to make the fold.

Unfold the page and cut it in half along the foldline.

Fold the half page in half lengthwise.

Fold this half page in half lengthwise. Again, if you're working with the half that has a torn edge, line up the most intact corner, as shown. The torn edge will be hidden once we finish this series of folds.

Fold the piece in half lengthwise a second time.

I recommend creasing each fold with a bone folder. Alternatively, use the back of your thumbnail.

Fold the edges in toward the center.

Unfold that second fold, and then fold the two edges in toward the center. Crease these folds.

Fold the edges toward the center again.

Repeat that step-fold the two edges in toward the center again. Crease those folds, too.

Try to keep the folds and creases as precise as possible during this stage. It makes a big difference in the finished coils.

Fold in half again.

Lastly, fold the strip in half lengthwise, capturing all those folds inside.

Begin the coil on a wooden skewer.

Now begin the coiling. I get the process started with a thin wooden skewer. Start at one end of the folded strip and roll it tightly around the skewer for about three complete turns.

Remove the skewer and set it aside. The coil will relax a little, but don't worry about that for the moment.

Remove the skewer. Re-coil the strip by hand.

Now, re-coil this end of the strip by hand, making sure there is no hole in the center. Coil about two turns and stop. It's time to start adding glue.

Apply a small amount of glue to the strip.

Here's how I hold the coil when I glue it: I use my nondominant hand to pinch the flat part of the coil and the other hand to apply some glue.

When using the quick-drying hot glue, apply a strip of glue that's no longer than 1/2 inch. Also keep the strip of glue thin so it won't ooze out when you start coiling.

Wrap the strip along the coil, over the glue.

Use your dominant hand to firmly wrap the magazine strip over the glue, which, in turn, grows the coil.

Repeat these steps until you're happy with the size of your coil. You can make these coils any size you like and cut off the rest of the magazine strip at any time. Just glue down the end of the strip to the coil.

Add a new color by placing the strips end to end.

You can make a coil in several colors by joining two strips end to end, as shown, and continuing the coil with a new color.

Use the side of the bone folder to press out any corners that appear in the coil.

If you have a bone folder, it's a handy tool if your coil develops any little corners along the way. You can mash them flat with the side of the bone folder. Alternatively use a butter knife.

The bone folder flattens the coil, too.

You can also use the bone folder, or butter knife, to flatten your coil.

Wash your hands between coils because magazine print will often leave residue on your fingers. You don't want that to soil your other coils.

Trace the finished coil onto card stock, and cut out.

When your coil is done, or you've finished gluing several coils together, it's time to add finishing touches. Trace the coil onto a piece of card stock. Cut this shape out (cutting inside your traced lines).

Apply glue and an eye pin to the back of the pendant.

Flip the coil over to the back. Apply a generous amount of craft glue, and place an eye pin across the back of the coil, so that the loop sits at the top of the coil. (You may need to trim the eye pin so that it fits on the back of the coil.)

Press the card stock into the glue.

Press the card stock over the glue, and allow the glue to dry. Then seal the pendant on the front and back with clear sealer.

This is such a good product with a great set of instructions. Can I ask if you would consider listing this on our website:
www.co-oproduct.org

We are a new organisation in the UK who are focusing on packaging reuse and open design. We are currently looking for exemplar projects which really demonstrate how you can turn a material that is normally regarded as waste, into a valuable product. We think this idea is exactly that!

This is such a good product with a great set of instructions. Can I ask if you would consider listing this on our website:
www.co-oproduct.org

We are a new organisation in the UK who are focusing on packaging reuse and open design. We are currently looking for exemplar projects which really demonstrate how you can turn a material that is normally regarded as waste, into a valuable product. We think this idea is exactly that!

Thank you

Tracy
Posted: 4:52 am on May 18th

GlassPeace writes: Neat! I like the third one with multiples put together.
Posted: 1:21 am on April 30th

Green_Dot_Creations writes: I love to recycle paper into jewelry. This idea has just so many possibilities! I'm working on it already! Thanks!
Posted: 2:23 am on January 5th

liverichandfree writes: I included a link to this post in my "101 coolest reusable craft ideas" post. I post about frugal ways to have a cool life while spending less, and this definitely made the list. Enjoy!

NatashaDevine writes: I am currently working through my ICT Controlled Assessment and for this, we need to find different Upcycling Ideas and I personally believe that this is an excellent idea. Therefore, I would like to ask for permission to use this idea. Thank you, Natasha Devine.
Posted: 4:21 am on October 2nd

eggood writes: This is eggood,I'm new,and I'm looking forward to trying this .It looks very interesting.
Posted: 10:53 am on June 10th

brbrcat writes: What about buttons ? Would they work?
Posted: 2:47 pm on June 3rd

ani246 writes: To whom it may concern,i am also a yr1o student doing my gsce which is on upcycling and as a part of it we have to research on upcycling demonstrations and would like your perission to use this as apart of my demonstration it will be very much appreciated.

Thankyou.
Posted: 5:06 pm on November 3rd

ani246 writes: To whom it may concern,i am also a yr1o student doing my gsce which is on upcycling and as a part of it we have to research on upcycling demonstrations and would like your perission to use this as apart of my demonstration it will be very much appreciated.

Thankyou.
Posted: 5:06 pm on November 3rd

Azziza writes: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a year 10 student at St Marylebone School doing my ICT GCSE. As part of our coursework we have to research upcycling demonstrations. Therefore I would like to ask you for permission to use your idea as part of my coursework. Thank you.
Posted: 4:06 pm on October 18th

Tulip211 writes: This is an awesome idea!
Posted: 11:39 am on May 19th

Rooty_Tooty writes: Nice! This would also be a good way to decorate the tops of paper mache boxes. Perhaps the sides of the box could be cover in the folded strips & the inside lined with flat pages.
Posted: 12:17 am on April 4th

Jenn_at_FFP writes: This is a really cool idea with so many potential uses! I just gathered up all my old magazines earlier today. I had planned on taking them to the recycle center but I think I'll make a bunch of these first. You could make matching bracelets, earrings, rings, decorate photo and mirror frames; I could go on and on and on. This is an exciting craft. Thanks
Posted: 8:04 pm on March 3rd

Partlycloudy1 writes: Here is a Flickr album of the first batch of necklaces I made from this tutorial. My projects had a tendency to flip over because of their light weight so I backed them all with illustrations cut out of a Victorian-era encyclopedia which was not usable otherwise (the paper was too brittle). I covered the completed pieces with paper glaze, and incorporated recycled jewelry pieces in them too.

Prachi writes: Wonderful art of work! Looks trendy as well as attractive. Just Love it. I'll try some for myself. Thanks for sharing the great tutorial and pics! Looking for traditional styles of jewelery visit here www.ckcsons.com/
Posted: 2:22 am on April 4th

AggieAnn writes: These are so pretty! I'm going to try them with fabric.........my first love. :-) Thanks for the instructions!
Posted: 5:49 pm on March 22nd

Magicgreen53 writes: Iam getting busy with this one tomorrow!!
Great tutorial and pics!
Thank-you sooo much for posting this!!
Posted: 3:20 am on January 31st

SewDanish writes: What a great idea! I love working with paper. Think I'll make collection of various colour, size and texture. Could come in very handy for some of my projects for the final embellishment. Birgitte
http://www.SewDanish.etsy.com
Scandinavian Textile Art, Unique Handmade Supplies
Posted: 6:59 am on January 27th

sampan writes: I like prima-gold verymuch because it's very beauty
http://www.prima-gold.fusionthai.net
Posted: 8:42 am on January 24th

Cheriezel writes: No! Not another cool craft to get sucked into! But I have so many magazines/catalogs in the recycling, calling to me now....

Erinzp writes: SO COOL! i've already torn out a million pages to turn into rolls. the rolls i've made so far have turned out really cool
Posted: 4:04 pm on January 13th

Nomdeeploom writes: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!! I WILL try this...I am into making my own jewelry AND recycling; this great idea combines the two!
Thanks for sharing!
Posted: 9:40 pm on January 12th

busybeedj writes: some how mine came out a little tighter and the coils werent as visible , but it came out cute , i added coils in the shape of a teddy bear , added eyes and blonde ringlets painted it purple , its definately different

Posted: 5:41 pm on January 12th

Mortira writes: What a great idea! Any magazines that come my way get obliterated after I've clipped out any jewelry, fashion or color scheme photos for my inspiration book. This is a great way to use up the pages that are left!
Posted: 12:22 pm on January 12th

happyjoy writes: Yea! This will go into my projects file for summer camp. We can't wait for the campers to try something new.
Posted: 6:18 pm on January 11th

trusk4u writes: This is a really awesome idea! I'll have to pass it on to a friend who has a girl scout troop.
Posted: 6:49 pm on January 10th

Susancnw writes: And this has definitely given me an idea...I might try this for drawer pulls on my daughter's dresser....the cardstock backing on it...and then use some sort of finish on it...so they will hold up to the pulling a bit. Besides, at the 'free' cost, I can replace them when necessary.
Posted: 1:47 pm on January 10th

LluviaDesigns writes: i'm very inspired by this! it's a good way to use up some of the magazines i have floating around - and i feel so guilty tossing them in the trash.
Posted: 12:35 pm on January 10th

LauraMM writes: Great tutorial! And the color combinations are so good! Great way to recycle those magazines!
Posted: 10:25 am on January 10th

DownHomeDIY writes: This is great. Thank you for sharing the detailed tutorial. I can't wait to try it.
Posted: 9:18 am on January 10th

babylamms writes: Thanks for the great tutorial! I love working with magazines & catalogs.
Posted: 9:10 am on January 10th

IggyJingles writes: Awesome! I'll be doing some of these alright.
Posted: 6:01 pm on January 9th

FaveCrafts writes: As an Editor who always saves all my magazines, I love this idea! Thanks!
Posted: 3:44 pm on January 9th

AmericanCurl writes: These look great! I'm going to do a "Playing with Paper" workshop at an upcoming singles conference, and I'm definitely going to add these as part of the things to try. The perfect pendant for a paper bead necklace! I'm also going to include making a tiny paper collage pin and tea bag folding. Paper is such fun to play with and the price is definitely right!
Posted: 2:39 pm on January 9th